NFL Passes Rule Allowing Coaches To Challenge Pass Interference

It's officially official now! The NFL Owners have voted 31-1 to pass the proposed rule to allow coaches to challenge pass interference and non-pass interference calls for the upcoming season. The one owner who didn't vote to pass the new rule? Cinncinatti Bengals Owner Mike Brown.

From all the reports it seems Saints head coach Sean Payton was the driving force behind the rule change (no surprise there):

This is terrific to hear and gives Saints fans and the organization some vindication being able to get this new replay rule changed so nothing like what happened to them in the NFC Title Game will happen to anyone else.

Here's what Payton had to say via Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News:

This new rule will still keep the strategy in the game for coaches as they'll have to decide if and when they want to use their challenges throughout the game. Because of that, you won't have any abnormal stoppages of play which is what some feared in the microwave society we live in nowadays.

However, how likely will the powers that be in New York be to overturn pass interference calls, either way, it is a judgment call after all. I suspect coaches won't use their challenge on it unless it's absolutely clear and obvious that it was missed.

Either way, congrats Saints fans, we did it!

For all my sports posts and to hear my inner sports thoughts, make sure to keep up with me on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook